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2004 Chevrolet Classic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

31 reports with mileage · 9 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Equipment. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

40 reports
78,000 miles · Nov 10, 2009
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291772

54,000 miles · May 9, 2009
Electrical System

I SIMPLY TRIED TO TURN ON MY CAR AFTER A LONG DAY AT WORK AND THE "SECURITY" SYSTEM WONT ALLOW THE CAR TO TURN ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268290

94,112 miles · Apr 16, 2009
Electrical System

CHEVY CLASSIC 2004 WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. OUT OF WARRANTY. NOTICED ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ON A FEW TIMES, FOR A FEW MINUTES, 3 OR 4 TIMES IN LAST MONTH. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BATT, STARTER, ALTERNATOR FINE. LOTS OF FUEL. STARTS IN NEUTRAL FOR 2-3 SECONDS THEN DIES. PASSLOCK ASSEMBLY, PART OF THE ANTI-THEFT …

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CHEVY CLASSIC 2004 WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. OUT OF WARRANTY. NOTICED ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ON A FEW TIMES, FOR A FEW MINUTES, 3 OR 4 TIMES IN LAST MONTH. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BATT, STARTER, ALTERNATOR FINE. LOTS OF FUEL. STARTS IN NEUTRAL FOR 2-3 SECONDS THEN DIES. PASSLOCK ASSEMBLY, PART OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAILED. IT IS A COMPUTER COMPONENT BUILT-IN TO THE IGNITION SYSTEM. MECHANIC CLAIMS NEW PASSLOCK ASSEMBLY AND NEW KEY ARE REQUIRED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NO AFTER-MARKET PARTS INSTALLED I.E. RADIO, ALARM, ETC. THIS VEHICLE IS KEPT IN 2 CAR GARAGE AND IS ONLY CAR IN THE GARAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265574

55,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Exterior Lighting

IN THE EARLY PART OF 2008 MY FLASHER BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY ON MY VEHICLE AND I WAS FORCED TO GET THE SYSTEM REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. SOMETIMES THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD WORK, OTHER TIMES IT WOULD STOP FLASHING PRIOR TO THE PHYSICAL TURN. IN SOME INSTANCES IT WOULD NOT INITIATE AT ALL. AFTER GETTING THE FLASHER REPLACED I'V…

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IN THE EARLY PART OF 2008 MY FLASHER BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY ON MY VEHICLE AND I WAS FORCED TO GET THE SYSTEM REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. SOMETIMES THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD WORK, OTHER TIMES IT WOULD STOP FLASHING PRIOR TO THE PHYSICAL TURN. IN SOME INSTANCES IT WOULD NOT INITIATE AT ALL. AFTER GETTING THE FLASHER REPLACED I'VE HAD NO INCIDENTS. I HAD IT REPLACED IN OCTOBER WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCE WITH THE VEHICLE FOR $411. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251109

95,000 miles · May 5, 2008
Electrical System

I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. FOR THE PAST YEAR OR MORE I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION IS TO WAIT 10MIN. WITH THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION UNTIL THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT GOES OFF. I FIGURED THIS OUT BY READING THE OWNERS MANUAL BUT I FEEL SORRY FOR THE MANY FOLKS WHO SPENT HUNDREDS OF…

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I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. FOR THE PAST YEAR OR MORE I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION IS TO WAIT 10MIN. WITH THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION UNTIL THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT GOES OFF. I FIGURED THIS OUT BY READING THE OWNERS MANUAL BUT I FEEL SORRY FOR THE MANY FOLKS WHO SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS BEFORE DOING SO. IT WAS ONLY HAPPENING EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS AND HAS PROGRESSED TO HAPPENING 1-2 TIMES A DAY. THE THEFT LIGHT WILL NOW EVEN COME ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I'M JUST AFRAID THE CAR MIGHT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE GM DEALER SAYS IT'S PROBABLY THE IGNITION CYLINDER OR THE BODY CONTROL MODULE THAT NEED REPLACED. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET FORUMS THAT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM RESIDES IN THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM AND THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY IT IS TO HAVE IT DISABLED OR BYPASSED, BUT NOT BY GM OF COURSE BECAUSE THEY WON'T ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM. SINCE GM WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL THAT WILL FORCE THEM TO. I CHALLENGE YOU TO READ THE FORUMS FOR YOURSELF ON THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THE EVIDENCE IS COMPELLING AS I EXPECT YOU WILL ALSO. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP IN AND TAKE CONTROL ON THIS ONE AND I'M AFRAID THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN. AMERICANS ARE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD DRIVING WITH FUEL AT $4.00/GAL LET ALONE BEING DECEIVED BY GM INTO SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR UNJUSTLY REPAIRS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226761

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2007
Electrical System

CAR WOULD NOT START. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. NOT THE PROBLEM. FOUND OUT THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS THE PROBLEM AFTER MY BROTHER IN LAW CALLED A FRIEND OF HIS THAT WORKED AT GM. THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO LEAVE KEYS IN IGNITION FOR 10-15 MINUTES …

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CAR WOULD NOT START. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. NOT THE PROBLEM. FOUND OUT THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS THE PROBLEM AFTER MY BROTHER IN LAW CALLED A FRIEND OF HIS THAT WORKED AT GM. THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO LEAVE KEYS IN IGNITION FOR 10-15 MINUTES AND THEN COME BACK, TURN OFF AND THEN TURN ON AGAIN, AND IT STARTS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU'S. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING AND MY CAR CUT OFF ON ME LIKE OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE WHOLE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMING ON. I AM TAKING IT TO THE SHOP TONIGHT TO HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED BUT HAVE READ FORUMS WHERE THAT DIDN'T HELP EITHER. GM /CHEVY KNOWS THAT HAVE A PROBLEM AND AREN'T DURING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHY NOT INVESTIGATE BEFORE YOU HAVE FATALITIES ON THE ROAD AND IT COMES BACK TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT ON CHEVY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201738

49,000 miles · Jun 18, 2007
VisibilityCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFOGGER HAS STOPPED WORKING. WHEN TRYING TO CLEAR THE INTERIOR WINDSHIELD GLASS, THE EXTERIOR WINDSHIELD FOGS UP VERY QUICKLY. THE FAILURE OCCURS DURING DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP ALMOST…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFOGGER HAS STOPPED WORKING. WHEN TRYING TO CLEAR THE INTERIOR WINDSHIELD GLASS, THE EXTERIOR WINDSHIELD FOGS UP VERY QUICKLY. THE FAILURE OCCURS DURING DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY BECAME IMPAIRED. THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER A MEDIAN AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193584

57,106 miles · Feb 28, 2007
Suspension

I HAD PURCHASED MY CHEVY IN FEB 05'.IT WAS CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WITH ONLY 15,000 MILES. ON 2-25-07 I HEARD A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I BROUGHT IT TO TWO MECHANICS AND TO MY SURPRISE BOTH OF MY WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ONE WAS FALLING OFF. BOTH MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HA…

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I HAD PURCHASED MY CHEVY IN FEB 05'.IT WAS CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WITH ONLY 15,000 MILES. ON 2-25-07 I HEARD A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I BROUGHT IT TO TWO MECHANICS AND TO MY SURPRISE BOTH OF MY WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ONE WAS FALLING OFF. BOTH MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ON A CAR THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD. WAS WONDERING WHAT I COULD DO ABOUT IT. I WILL BE CONTACTING GEN. MOTORS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10183772

38,000 miles · Apr 7, 2006
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Electric

I PURCHASED MY CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR, AND THE BRAKES ARE BECOMING A VERY BIG PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL CONCERNING THE BRAKES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY, IF MY CAR WAS IN FACT A CERTIFIED USED CAR, …

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I PURCHASED MY CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR, AND THE BRAKES ARE BECOMING A VERY BIG PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL CONCERNING THE BRAKES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY, IF MY CAR WAS IN FACT A CERTIFIED USED CAR, HOW IT IS POSSIBLE FOR MY BRAKES TO BE WORKING SO POORLY. THIS PROBLEM IS ONE THAT IS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DUE TO THE INCREASING TIME THAT IT TAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND THEREFORE I FEEL STRONGLY THAT I WAS DECEIVED INTO BUYING A CAR THAT IS A DEATH TRAP!!! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10154816

37,000 miles · Aug 19, 2005
Power Train

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN MARCH 2005. THE TRANSMISSION WAS JUMPING REAL BADLY. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER IT WAS ALRIGHT, SHE THEN HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY ANOTHER MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. . IT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT ABOVE 25 MPH, AND CO…

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DT: THE CONSUMER STATES SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN MARCH 2005. THE TRANSMISSION WAS JUMPING REAL BADLY. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER IT WAS ALRIGHT, SHE THEN HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY ANOTHER MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. . IT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT ABOVE 25 MPH, AND CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. SHE HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WILL CALL THEM NEXT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT DID HAVE A LITTLE JUMP IN IT, AND SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DID NOT SAY THEY PERFORMED ANY WORK, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS OKAY. THE JUMP HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.*AK *TT

NHTSA ODI #10128883

Official recalls

1

04V301000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

Jun 30, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK THAT DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATION. A WELD ON THESE FUEL TANKS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK, AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.